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Maryland Boat Bill of Sale

Maryland requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Maryland boat bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration looks for, matching the fields on VR-181. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Maryland
Boat Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Boat details

Price and terms

How to sell a boat in Maryland

A boat bill of sale identifies the vessel by its Hull Identification Number (HIN), covers the motor and trailer if they are part of the deal, and records the price and date. Most states register boats through the wildlife or parks agency rather than the DMV, and nearly all of them accept a signed bill of sale as proof of purchase.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Maryland boat bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the HIN.
  3. Sign it. Signing in front of a notary is not always required in Maryland, but offices ask for it often enough that it is worth the few dollars.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the boat has one.
  5. Hand over the boat and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale (or Maryland's VR-181), the signed title and your ID to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Maryland's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The HIN is on the transom (back right corner), 12 characters.
  • List the outboard motor separately with its serial number; motors are often registered or titled on their own.
  • If a trailer is included, add its VIN; the trailer is titled through the DMV, not the boat office.
  • Note whether the sale includes electronics, life jackets or other gear.

Why a bill of sale matters for a boat

  • Boats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
  • The state boat registration office needs the price for tax.
  • Many used boats have no title; the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
  • An as-is clause matters more on boats, where hidden hull or engine damage is common.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

Maryland at a glance

Bill of sale
Required in common cases
Notary
Notarization recommended
Official state form
VR-181
Where the buyer registers
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (mva.maryland.gov)
License plates
Stay with seller

Maryland strongly recommends a bill of sale and requires a notarized VR-181 when the vehicle is 7 years old or newer and the price is used to set excise tax (sold below book value). Buyers submit it with the VR-005 title application and a safety inspection certificate. Plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Maryland forms

Boat Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Maryland boat bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in Maryland?+

Maryland requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Maryland strongly recommends a bill of sale and requires a notarized VR-181 when the vehicle is 7 years old or newer and the price is used to set excise tax (sold below book value). Buyers submit it with the VR-005 title application and a safety inspection certificate. Plates stay with the seller. Maryland publishes VR-181 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.

Does a Maryland boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Notarization is not always required in Maryland, but offices often ask for it, so it is worth doing. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page formatted for Maryland.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Maryland?+

To the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration or the county office that handles vessel registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

A handful of states ask for a notarized bill of sale on vessels without a title. Check the state registration page linked on each state page here, or use the notary block in the ready-to-sign pack.

Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?+

You can list the trailer on the same document, but some DMVs want a separate bill of sale for the trailer because it is titled separately. Generate one on the trailer page in a minute.